Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Ava
W hy does he think he can speak to me like he’s my boss? I’m a grown woman. The odds of a car driving here are slim to none—people never drive here at this time. I am perfectly safe walking myself home. I don’t need a man, and Nathan wouldn’t hurt me. He’s a cheating asshole but has never crossed that line.
Viktor’s SUV smells of him—a mixture of musk and sandalwood. He gets in and turns it on. He doesn’t say a word or even look at me. He merely pulls away and drives straight ahead.
“Where are you going? You can do a U-turn here.” There’s an edge of panic in my voice. He doesn’t speak. “Viktor, seriously. Pull over. I’d rather walk home.” I look around anxiously. I just want to go home.
“I want to talk to you about my proposal.”
“I told you I’m not interested. Pull over.” He doesn’t. I want to take the wheel to get his full attention, but I don’t have a death wish. “I’m not joking!”
“I’m not going to hurt you, Ava. I am many things, but even I have lines I won’t cross.”
Weirdly enough, I sense that he’s telling the truth.
“I never said you would. Where are you taking me?”
“Home.”
“No way.” My heart is pounding so loud it’s a wonder he can’t hear it. I go to unbuckle my seatbelt. He turns, and his face is impassive.
“Don’t.” His voice carries in the car. My heart continues to pound, and I look around wildly, but I do as I’m told and stop.
He continues to drive. I want to scream for him to pull over, but I know that would be useless.
The drive is quiet. No music, no words exchanged. If this is the game we’re playing, it’s fine with me. I refuse to speak first. I have nothing to say to him. It isn’t like he’s going to listen, anyway. I am perfectly happy sitting in silence. It has been a long day.
“Ava, we’re here.” Fingers softly caress the side of my face.
“What?” I ask, panicked.
“You fell asleep. We’re here.”
I take a moment to orient myself. Right, Viktor was driving us to his place. He chuckles as he watches me work out where I am, making me feel like I’d love to slap him from here to eternity. He pulls up to a set of gates, and when they open, we face a beautiful mansion. It is grandiose.
He parks the SUV, gets out, then opens my door. He holds out his hand for me, but I push it away and exit the SUV. We walk a short distance to the front door.
Opening the door, he leads us in.
“Would you like a drink?” he asks in that maddeningly smooth voice.
“I want to go home. I have to work in the morning, and I’m tired.”
He continues to walk. I guess he expects me to follow. I don’t really have a choice, so I do.
As we walk down the long, oak-paneled hall, I think about him. He believes he rules the world, but he’s wrong. He can’t rule me. His family controls the city, but he can’t control me. I am not scared of him or his last name. He bleeds red, just like everyone else.
Suddenly he stops, jolting me from my reverie, and opens a door. It is a bedroom.
“Umm, what do you think I’m going to do? I’m not sleeping with you.”
“I didn’t ask you to sleep with me.” He walks deeper into the bedroom. “The door to the right is the bathroom. You should be able to find everything you need.”
“I’m not staying here.” My heart is pounding again. “Take me home or tell me where I am so I can take myself home,” I demand.
“We’re about twenty-five minutes from the city. I want to discuss my proposition, but you aren’t in any condition to talk. I expect your full attention, and you’re tired.”
“I don’t need shit from you.” I stand in front of him. I should have known better.
Men like Viktor take without permission.
“Baby girl.”
I go to scream in frustration, but his hand is suddenly holding the back of my head, and his lips are crushing mine. There isn’t time to react. His lips leave mine long enough to let air into my lungs. In one scoop, he grabs me by my ass and lifts me effortlessly. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his waist. My body is a traitor. He walks until my back is against a wall. His lips make their way to my neck, adding to the heat and wetness between my legs. I want to feel him inside me.
His lips continue roaming like I belong to him. He pulls away from the wall and walks toward the bed. There’s a delay between my brain and body, so I don’t react.
The next thing I know, I’m on the bed with him hovering over me. He continues to kiss me. I can’t tell whether I’m following his lead, or he’s following mine. My shirt is off, leaving me in my bra and leggings. His lips free mine once again, and I feel an instant loss. He kisses each breast over my bra, continues down to my stomach, and stops at the edge of my leggings.
His eyes meet mine, perhaps asking for permission to continue. I’m too drunk on the heavy scent of seduction and don’t say anything, letting him lead my body. He obviously knows what he’s doing. His touch is like nothing I’ve ever felt.
With my leggings off, I feel totally exposed. I’ve only been with one man—Nathan—and he never made me feel this aroused.
“Viktor, please.” I moan.
He stops. “What do you want? Your desire is my command.”
“I can’t. Please.”
“Are you a virgin?” He sits us up so our eyes are level.
“Of course not.”
He stares for a long time, seemingly unsure whether I’m telling the truth. “All you have to do is say no, and I’ll stop.”
“I don’t know. I have never done anything like this. I’ve only been with Nathan.” I drop my gaze as I confess. I feel his stare bore into me, and I look up to meet his eyes.
He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I add.
His eyes open, hungry for more. He sits back, but what he does next is unexpected. He gently kisses me. It is almost sweet. The kind of kiss you see in a Hallmark movie.
He is so confusing.
He sets me down on the bed and gets up. “It’s getting late. You need to rest. We’ll talk in the morning.”
“I can’t stay here.”
“I’ll see you in the morning. Get some rest.”
“Viktor—”
“Good night, Ava.” He gives me a smile and closes the door softly behind him as he leaves.
What the fuck just happened? I sit on the bed, shocked by the turn of events. I’m annoyed. I am not sure if it’s because he stopped or because I let things get this far. Why did I get into his car? I must be losing my mind. I broke up with Nathan less than twelve hours ago, and Dad owes Viktor one hundred thousand dollars. Why am I here?